Malva sylvestris
Common mallow, Tall mallow, High mallow, Cheeses
- Height × spread
- 1.5m × 0.5m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A wild plant that is found across much of Europe. There are one or two garden-worthy forms. The species makes an upright plant with large matt green, rather heart-shaped leaves that have small lobes. The large innocent-looking rounded flowers are coloured a bright pinky purple shade and come all summer. Sometimes they have darker carmine stripes on the petals. It is a plant of hedgerows and is seen on roadsides and in open sites with dry soil that drains freely. The flowers are attractive to bees.
- Flower colour
- Pink, Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 1.5m
- Spread
- 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Gravel garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Summer
Summer-Autumn · Planting
Support tall stems
The plant may require support for long stems. Provide an artificial frame which it can grow through, or loosely tie the whole plant. A network of twigs can be woven together to provide a framework through which the plant can grow.
Tall stems can lean or be battered by weather. Support the plant to keep its vertical lines, aiming for a natural appearance which is easy on the eye.
Found in
More Malva
Malva
Mallow
Malva sylvestris var. mauritiana 'Primley Blue'
Blue mallow, Common mallow, Tall mallow, High mallow, Cheeses
Malva alcea
Algerian mallow, Cut leaf mallow
Malva moschata
Musk mallow
Malva moschata 'Rosea'
Musk mallow
Malva moschata f. alba
Musk mallow